Schoolboy Johnny Reynolds is hoping Telegraph & Argus readers will help bring back the German shepherd puppy he adores after she was stolen.

The 11-year-old was walking his two dogs down Barkerend Road with his mum Angela when a black Volkswagen pulled alongside with three men it.

They asked if the dogs were for sale and, when the reply was no, started to hurl abuse.

Johnny’s dad Jack said: “They even threatened to kill them for the dogs which really scared Angela. When she got her phone out, the car drove off and they thought that would be the end of it.”

But as the pair got near to the Lidl supermarket and Barkerend Garage, Johnny felt the lead being tugged.

Mr Reynolds said: “When he turned round he saw it was one of the men from the car who was undoing the lead. He just put Megan under his arm and ran off.

“Angela managed to flag down a passing police van who took all the details and another man who saw it came and passed on the car’s registration number.”

The family, who live in Barkerend, fear the worst for Megan and desperately want her back. Mrs Reynolds bought the dogs after she lost twins five months into her pregnancy earlier this year.

Mr Reynolds said: “Johnny’s devastated about Megan.

“She’s actually a cross with a Staffordshire but you can’t see that. If anyone knows where she is or who has got her, please get in touch with the police.”

Anyone with information about the crime at 12.30pm on Thursday, should call police on 0845 6060606.